https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 13:48:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2672211 Fri, 30 Dec 2016 20:15:27 +0000 maddyz 2672211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the reason you take a baby out of a carrier during takeoff and landing is that if you do stop short your weight can squish the infant. It's actually better for them to be loose. This is the same reason two people should never share one seat belt. And it's better not to use a carrier in a cab. Takeoff and landing are when there is more danger of a minor crash that could be very bad for a baby in a carrier. </p> <p>This was my understaffing from a flight attendant. Maybe they made it up, but it makes sense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671965 Fri, 30 Dec 2016 11:42:31 +0000 JenGirl 2671965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: Getting a goo seat neighbor makes all the difference! We've had amazing people that were super excited to be next to a baby and played with him and let him sit on their laps and enjoyed it all. We've also had people that just completely ignored him. Luckily nobody has been nasty. And the flight attendants are always happy to help. My son also played with my empty cup for like 20 minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671767 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 23:19:02 +0000 Mrsbells 2671767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: ok thanks thats reassuring!<br /> @Pollywog: Good point about the pouches!<br /> @nana87: interesting. I guess it depends on the attendant. I know some are really nice when i fly with my guitar and others are just difficult </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671313 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 11:00:10 +0000 nana87 2671313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We flew several times w lo as a lap baby. I mostly wore lo-- no flight attendant ever told me to unstrap her during take off or landing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671202 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 22:00:38 +0000 Pollywog 2671202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've flown with DS at 4 months, 7 months, and 9 months. All solo. I tula him through security, allow him to play, then have him sit on my lap and eat on the plane. A pouch and fruit cup last a long time if you need them to. Also, get an empty cup from the flight attendant. It provides lots of entertainment. </p> <p>My only challenge with a lap seat child is he's squirmy. He gets very interested in my seatmates hair and jacket </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671178 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 21:01:43 +0000 Astro Bee 2671178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Thanks. I didn't realize how long it was. Good luck. Travelling with babies is easier than travelling with toddlers. And you've already done that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671138 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 19:33:47 +0000 delight 2671138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 6 months, DD was a lap infant and the flight was a breeze. I wore her through the airport and just nursed her on takeoff and she slept almost the whole time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671136 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 19:26:27 +0000 Mrsbells 2671136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: thanks very helpful post with a lot of useful details :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671126 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:41:47 +0000 Astro Bee 2671126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been on almost 20 flight segments with DS, most recently when he was was 17 months old. Most of them he was as a lap infant, but a few we had a seat for him. It hasn't been that bad to have him as a lap infant, especially when he was younger, and less mobile. You get a briefing before takeoff, and they will have you hold him in a burping position for takeoff and landing, supporting his head. For hard landings, it prevents whiplash. I've also always breastfed on takeoff and landing (disengaging just before wheels touch just in case!). No issues!</p> <p>The only airline we have been on that allowed, or even required, him to be attached to me was with Air New Zealand, and it was a little seatbelt strap that attached to my belt. The hammock you showed above definitely wouldn't be approved on any of the airlines I've been on. As for bassinets, they are (1) available only in the bulkhead row, (2) mostly only on international flights, and (3) only for really small babies, under a certain weight and not sitting up yet - so not an option for you, unfortunately. Either way, as a lap infant or purchasing a seat. </p> <p>A carrier is a big help in the airport (and getting on the plane), and/or an umbrella stroller (we have the MB Nano) if you have a stopover or connection. You will usually have to take the baby out of either for security. You can take whatever you want for food and liquids through security if it's for a baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671125 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:35:29 +0000 Mrsbells 2671125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I see, thanks everyone. I'm glad I'm asking these questions early so we have some time to plan </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671122 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:32:28 +0000 looch 2671122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been told it's safer for the baby to be a projectile rather than be squashed by the forward thrust of the passenger they are strapped to.</p> <p>European airlines, though, will pass out belts to loop around your belt and the baby, so the jury is out, apparently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671087 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:50:52 +0000 JenGirl 2671087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have taken our son as a lap infant at 2 months, 5 months and 12 months. All went perfectly fine. We usually wear him in a carrier while boarding and either wear him or just hold him during flight. When he was little he slept the whole time and it was super easy. Now that he's getting more mobile, it's getting trickier, but he hates his car seat, so he wouldn't sit in it without screaming, even if we bought him a seat. About half the time he has slept through take off and/or landing, the other half of the time, I nurse him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671068 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:31:53 +0000 rattles 2671068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: apparently the restrictions are because those are the most dangerous times of flight, and if the baby was strapped to you during a crash, the force plus your weight would certainly crush the baby versus the potential damage of your baby flying around? Obviously neither option is desired, but that was the reason I was given. (I usually bought a seat for my babies, but on one round trip for a family emergency, I flew standby and only got one seat.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671064 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:27:47 +0000 Mrsbells 2671064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: @Anya: thanks! I'll look into all our options </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671059 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:26:08 +0000 littlejoy 2671059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep ... they won't let you have baby strapped to you (but I honestly felt more comfortable with baby in the carrier (fully supported), so when the flight attendants sat down, I'd snap it on). </p> <p>It truly is safest to have baby in a carseat (plus safer for the carseat - to not get beaten up by the airport staff), but for us, that option wasn't really an option until LO was about 1, and we have the $$ to spend on a 3rd seat for her. Thankfully, we never had any crazy flights, but even with turbulence, I always felt like she was safe on our laps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671058 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:25:32 +0000 Mrsbells 2671058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: thanks for that information! I didn't know about the restrictions on take off and landing. I wonder why that is. I would have thought it would be safer to have babywear during those times of the flight. Yes i will have thr whole row and it is a domestic flight about 4 hours long. With the older child i give her a tablet with sesame street and she is fine.<br /> @rattles: thanks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671055 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:23:04 +0000 Anya 2671055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 7 months I used the carrier or took her out if I was nursing. On one flight I was asked to un-clip it during takeoff (I can't remember if it was southwest or American) but most of the time they didn't care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671051 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:21:26 +0000 rattles 2671051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: they actually won't let you wear the baby or strap it to you during takeoff and landing. I just slipped the straps off of my shoulders so as not to disturb the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671050 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:20:54 +0000 DesertDreams88 2671050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The item you pictured is not approved for flight travel.</p> <p>You can definitely wear your baby for most of the time, depending on how much your baby likes being worn. However, you cannot wear them during takeoff and landing.</p> <p>At that age and with that number of people, I would travel with the baby as a lot baby. Your baby probably won't be that unruly / mobile, so being on your lap will be fine, and you'll have the row to yourself because of your other child. If you're nursing, they're going to be in your arms a fair amount anyway, so I don't think it's usually worth it to buy them their own seat, especially for domestic flights.</p> <p>There will be some probably some commenters that talk about the dangers of having a lap baby. I understand and i would consider purchasing a seat for a very mobile baby, older baby, heavy baby, or to get a row to yourself (I'm currently doing that right now for a Christmas travel) But even with a lap baby, it's important to bear in mind that flying in planes with vastly safer than any other forms of travel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671047 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:20:27 +0000 Mrsbells 2671047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: oh Ok thanks. That's good to know </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671037 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:16:22 +0000 mediagirl 2671037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: no. You don't have to have a baby strapped down. Some flight attendants are jerks and will say things like, "your baby has to be sitting up right in your lap and facing forward during take-off" while your 6 month old is having a huge meltdown. But most are pretty helpful and understanding that you can't control a flailing child.. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671031 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:13:29 +0000 Mrsbells 2671031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: oh ok so the planes dont require the baby to be strapped to you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671028 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:12:02 +0000 mediagirl 2671028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 7 months old, I would just hold the baby. We traveled with our daughter at 3 months and again at 12 months and 18 months and she was fine in my lap. I didn't need an extra contraption to deal with! Just know that if you carry her in an Ergo, you will have to unsnap it for take off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671025 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:11:03 +0000 Mrsbells 2671025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this is the product i was referring to. it doesnt seem that secure to me especially if the person in front decides to recline</p> <p>[attach=1326/16/oiwyuf.500x281.41oZrNIwVRL.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-lapseats#post-2671023 Wed, 28 Dec 2016 16:09:04 +0000 Mrsbells 2671023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are thinking of taking a trip when DS is about 7 months old and DD will be 5. This is the first time we will be using a lapseat. With DD we always bought her a seat because she was already over 2years old when we started flying with her<br /> Do you just carry baby in your lap? Or do you wear them in a carrier? I'v seen a product that attaches to the seat in front like a sling but it doesnt look all that safe..<br /> Any tips will be appreciated </p>